Updating a previous report, Carolina Panthers DT Star Lotulelei (foot) underwent surgery for a small fracture in his foot Wednesday, Jan. 7. Lotulelei would be able to return if the Panthers advance to the Super Bowl, but not for the NFC Championship game.

Carolina Panthers DT Star Lotulelei said the rapid-fire approach of the Philadelphia Eagles offense in the preseason game Thursday, Aug. 15, left him winded. "I got tired, but that's all part of the game. Just fight through it, get to the next play and keep sound fundamentals," Lotulelei said.

Carolina Panthers DT Star Lotulelei showed up to offseason workouts in good shape. The team also drafted pass-rusher DT Kawann Short, so it was thought Lotulelei might come out in certain passing situations. However, Lotulelei was on the field a lot during minicamp, and head coach Ron Rivera said Lotulelei has "come a long way" as far as using his hands to shed blockers.

The drafting of Carolina Panthers DT Star Lotulelei and DT Kawann Short will help keep blockers off LB Luke Kuechly, and head coach Ron Rivera emphasized their presence will assist the secondary as well. "They're going to help with the pass rush because the quarterback is not going to be able to step up," Rivera said. "A good front helps the back, and that's part of it."

Fantasy Tip: Another DL taken to plug up a leaky run defense. The Panthers aren't yet fantasy-relevant among DTs, but his flexibility may open him up to IDP consideration at some point in 2013. He's not big on the pass rush, though.

Utah DT Star Lotulelei (heart) could see his draft stock rise again after getting positive news on the medical front after testing at the NFL Draft Combine revealed a heart condition. Recent tests showed "No evidence of dysfunction" and performed "consistently with that of highly trained athletes," according to a Utah team physician.

Utah DT Star Lotulelei (heart) has been told he can continue working out on his own, according to a person informed of the conversations between doctors and Lotulelei, after withdrawing from the NFL Scouting Combine because of an abnormal heart exam. The person said it's hoped that it's not a heart condition but rather dehydration, too much sodium in his diet or rapid weight loss in a short timeframe that prompted tests to reveal his heart wasn't pumping at full capacity. Lotulelei dropped almost 10 pounds in three days recently, in part because of the hectic schedule of traveling to the combine. Lotulelei did not fail his physical but rather was given an incomplete designation pending a consultation with a specialist.

Updating a previous report, Utah DT Star Lotulelei's (heart) agent said Lotulelei is expected to participate in all the drills during his Pro Day. Lotulelei is scheduled to meet with a heart specialist later this week.

Utah DT Star Lotulelei (heart) will not participate in drills at the NFL Scouting Combine because an echocardiogram detected a heart condition. His left ventricle is pumping at 44 percent efficiency, which is lower than the normal range of 55 percent to 70 percent efficiency. He will undergo more tests in Salt Lake City.